Area farmers are upbeat this harvest season
Farmers in the Peabody, Florence area are thankful for the good wheat crop they are harvesting.
Unlike many other parts of Kansas as well as Texas and Oklahoma, drought, disease, and hail haven't been a big problem.
According to Chris Bielefeld, manager of the Mid-Kansas Co-op at Peabody, the crop is much better than the previous year and yields are better than anticipated.
That, combined with a good price, is more than enough to put farmers in a good mood.
Harvest in the Peabody area began a week ago Monday and was in full swing by Thursday.
Bielefeld estimates harvest to be about half complete. Average test weights are running around 61 pounds per bushel, and farmers are reporting yields from 30-55 bushels per acre.
"The farmers are pleasantly surprised," he said.
Bielefeld works from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. during harvest.
"You have to have an understanding wife at home," he said.
Harvest got underway Thursday in the Florence area, coming mainly from the Cottonwood River valley.
Elevator manager Bryan Harper said the wheat has great quality, averaging 62.9 pounds per bushel and yielding 30-40 bushels per acre. A few frost- or hail-damaged fields are yielding about 20 bushels.
"It might not be a bumper crop, but compared to the national average, our county is doing really well," he said.
He noted the co-op had to adjust its computers to measure weights above 65 pounds.
Harper said three millers already have shown up to get samples for testing the wheat. He expects the grain to be in demand because of shortages elsewhere.
Haywood to meet with vets
Richard Haywood, veterans' service representative for the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs will be at the Marion County Health Department, Marion, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Veterans, their dependents, or survivors who have received an Eligibility Verification Report form, or any inquiry from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, should contact him.
Prior to the meeting, call the Emporia office at 620-342-3347 so all files will be available.
